Tag Archives: depression

The loss of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain last week is a reminder that depression and suicide can affect anyone. There has been a 30% rise in suicide rates from 1999 to 2016, according to a report on released by the CDC on June 7, 2018. Suicide increased in almost every state, and killed more Americans ages 10 or older than homicides did nationally. CDC Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat noted, “Suicide is a leading cause of death for Americans – and it’s a tragedy for families and communities across the country.”

As physicians, we are not immune to the realities of suicide. Physicians suffer from higher rates of burnout, depressive symptoms, and suicide risk than the general population. Suicide generally is caused by the convergence of multiple risk factors — the most common being untreated or inadequately managed mental health conditions.12

The suicide rate among male physicians is 1.41 times higher than the general male population. And among female physicians, the relative risk is even more pronounced — 2.27 times greater than the general female population.3 According to one study, physicians who took their lives were less likely to be receiving mental health treatment compared with non-physicians who took their lives even though depression was found to be a significant risk factor at approximately the same rate in both groups.

What can you do? Know the signs and don’t be afraid to ask for help. As physicians we also need to take care of ourselves. Past ACOG President Dr. Mark De Francesco’s task force on physician wellness compiled several resources for ob-gyns to help cope with several issues such as adverse events and burnout. You can find additional resources here.